Paper Obsessed No. 4 - Obsession Exposed...Again

My paper obsession is no secret. Here is some more exposure to this obsession from the Willow Bee Inspired inventory.

Fantastic black and white photograph of a man and a horse at a barrel race.

Framing resembling a worn leather saddle.

An amazing drawing of a mirror lamp on vellum.

Sepia vintage photograph of a Crew team.

Sepia photograph of the Crew team at the boat house.

Vintage black and white photograph in panoramic orientation of old trolleys.

All images available for purchase from Willow Bee Inspired. 

Image Sources:  Willow Bee Inspired

Rooms I Love No. 1

For no particular reason, yet for many reasons...rooms I love.

Image Sources: Elle Decor, Eric Cohler, Water Buck Safaris

RSVP Collection No. 26 - Cilantro and Chili Crab Panini

Cilantro and Chili Crab Panini

4 phyllo pastry sheets, about 8 x 12 inches each

1/4 c. melted butter

Crab Filling

1 lemon grass stalk

1 6-oz. can crab meat, drained, or 6 oz.fresh cooked crab meat

finely grated zest of 1 lime

4 T. chopped cilantro leaves and stems

2 T. chopped mint

2 T. lime juice

1 small red chile, seeded and finely chopped

2 T. fish sauce

1/2 t. palm sugar

salt and pepper

Make the crab filling. Strip the lemon grass stalk of its outer layers and finely slice the soft heart. Mix it in a bowl together with all the remaining crab filling ingredients, season, and set aside.

Brush each sheet of phyllo pastry with melted butter and arrange 2 of them crosswise over each other. Repeat with remaining two sheets.

Spoon the crab mixture into the middle of each pastry arrangement and fold over the sides to create neat parcels.

Toast in a sandwich grill for 3-4 minutes, or according to the manufacturer's instructions, until the pastry is golden and crispy. Serve immediately.

Be Inspired No. 19 - All the World is a Stage

I'm inspired by the wonderful movie set of Water For Elephants and the possibilities of the awning stripe of the traditional circus tent.

Loving the awning stripe-effect the beams create in this room.

Image Sources: Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Miles Redd, Windsor Smith, Ralph Lauren, Sunbrella, Fox Studios, Century

Gotta Love No. 13 - Anthropologie Windows

Anthropologie and gourds...'nough said.

Boulder, CO

Boulder, CO

El Segundo, CA

El Segundo, CA

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, FL

Lone Tree, CO

Lone Tree, CO

Roseville, CA

Roseville, CA

Santa Monica, CA

Image Source:  Anthropologie

Garden Design No. 4 - Macys Flower Show 2011

Wow! What inspiration the florists showed at the 2011 Macy's Flower Show!

Image Sources: Flicker, Preston Bailey, Hello Darling

Gotta Love No. 12 - Something About a Vespa

I have a dream of someday moving to Paris and living a quaint simple life. I think that's why I love the Vespa. What an adorable way of jetting around that small Parisian town. Our son purchased a Doni bike this Summer made in Italy. The Doni actually folds in half so you can put it in your trunk! Okay so if I can't obtain a Vespa - this will come in handy - I'll just pop it in the back of my future Mini Cooper. Hey, a girl has to have flexibility for her dreams!

Loving the classy storage chest on the back!

How cute are these parking spots!

Someday....

Image Sources: Travel Belles, Trek Earth, Tumbler, Vespa of Lexington

RSVP Collection No. 25 - Pumpkin Cupcake with Maple Frosting

Pumpkin Cupcake with Maple Frosting

1 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. kosher salt

1 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 c. canned pumpkin puree (8 oz.) not pie filling

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. light brown sugar, lightly packed

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1/2 c. coarsely chopped Heath bars (2-1.4 oz. bars)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush or spray top of 10 muffin tins with vegetable oil and line them with 10 paper liners. Into medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. In a larger bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin puree, sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Add the flour mixture and stir until combined. Divide the batter among the prepared tins and bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely. Let cool. Spread cupcakes with Maple Frosting and sprinkle with chopped toffee bits.

Maple Frosting

6 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

3 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 t. natural maple flavor

1/2 t. pure vanilla extract

2 c. sifted confectioners' sugar

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth. Stir in the maple flavoring and vanilla extract. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.



Paper Obsessed No. 3 - Library Shelf Enrichment Part Duex

Here are some books that should be enriching my library soon. 

Image Source: Amazon

Color Palette No. 8 - Napa Valley

What a warmth Color Palette No. 8 - Napa Valley gives to a room. I have to admit this is my personal favorite.

Here are my picks for paint colors to achieve this color palette:

Sherwin Williams SW6272 Plum Brown

Sherwin Williams SW6355 True Penny

Sherwin Williams SW6416 Sassy Green

Image Sources: Traditional Home, Architectural Digest, Orbitz, House Beautiful, Sherwin Williams